Twenty-one cadets honored at 2019 Governor’s Day

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BROOKINGS – South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem visited the South Dakota State University campus Monday to honor all veterans and recognize the achievements of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force ROTC cadets in the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex.

A 2011 South Dakota State graduate, Noem made her first appearance as governor at the annual awards ceremony. 

Governor’s Day dates to 1918, when Peter Norbeck was governor and Gen. Omar Bradley was professor of military science.

This year’s awards recipients are:

U.S. Army ROTC:

• Advanced Course Cadet of the Year (Governor’s Cup): Erin Holdsclaw, Flandreau;

• Veterans of Foreign Wars Award: Ryan Titus, Hartford;

• Daughters of the American Revolution Award: Blake Hess, Farmington, Minnesota;

• American Legion Military Excellence Award: Nicholas Hockenbary, Spearfish;

• Disabled American Veteran’s Award: Hunter Ness, Brookings;

• Department of the Army Superior Cadet Award: Branden Heitritter, Archer, Iowa; Landon Leberman, Parker; Mallory Van Klompenburg, Montevideo, Minnesota; and Gohan Whitebull, Fort Jackson, South Carolina;

• Military Officers Association of America Award: Jacob Fouberg, Woonsocket;

• Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War: Aaron Grelson, Papillion, Nebraska;

• Vietnam Veterans of America Leadership Scholarship: Parker Young, Watertown; and

U.S. Air Force ROTC:

• President’s Cup: Jacob Carlson, Mayer, Minnesota;

• Veterans of Foreign Wars Award: Phillip Zamora, Ladera Ranch, California;

• Daughters of the American Revolution Award: Wade Olson, Omaha, Nebraska;

• American Legion Military Excellence Award: Maria Corio, Elk Point;

• Disabled American Veteran’s Award: Gavin Doering, Alcester;

• Military Officers Association of America Award: Desiree Mercer, Sioux Falls;

• Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War: Haley Lee, Iowa City, Iowa;

• Vietnam Veterans of American Leadership Scholarship: Zamora;

• Vietnam Veterans of American Excellence Scholarship: Caleb Goergen, Alexandria, Minnesota.